IR Class 9 - Constructivism Slides PDF

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BSPOL1312 SESSION 9 November 25th, 2024 CONSTRUCTIVISM IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TODAY’S AGENDA 1. MCQ correction 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations 4. An illustration: the case of Bhutan 5. Peter Ha...

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BSPOL1312 SESSION 9 November 25th, 2024 CONSTRUCTIVISM IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TODAY’S AGENDA 1. MCQ correction 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations 4. An illustration: the case of Bhutan 5. Peter Hass’s article: presentation and discussion 1. MCQ correction N=46 Average grade=11,57/16 1. MCQ correction The UN was created in: A) 1919 B) 1945 C) 1949 1. MCQ correction Which State is not a permanent member of the UN Security Council? A) Japan B) France C) China 1. MCQ correction The Non-Proliferation Treaty was signed in: A) 1945 B) 1989 C) 1968 1. MCQ correction Which country did not join the League of Nations? A) Poland B) France C) The United States 1. MCQ correction For neo-classical realist Hans Morgenthau, at the core of international relations is: A) Hegemony B) National interest C) Collaboration 1. MCQ correction 'Barriers to information and communication in world politics can impede cooperation and create discord even when common interests exist'. This quotation illustrates: A) Neo-realism B) Idealism C) Neo-liberalism 1. MCQ correction Which one is not a basic feature of a state according to its classical definition? A) Territory B) Sovereignty C) Democracy 1. MCQ correction The concept of 'anarchy' in international relations denotes: A) A permanent condition of peace between states B) The absence of a world supreme authority C) The absence of cooperation between states 1. MCQ correction One key author of neo-liberalism is: A) Hans Morgenthau B) Robert Axelrod C) John Mearsheimer 1. MCQ correction Which one is not a goal of the Non-Proliferation Treaty? A) Promoting disarmament B) Fostering nuclear proliferation C) Ensuring access to peaceful nuclear technology 1. MCQ correction The Neo-realist approach of cooperation focuses on: A) Maximising relative gains B) Maximising absolute gains C) Neither maximising nor minimising gains 1. MCQ correction Which sentence is correct? A) According to Kenneth Waltz, bipolar systems are more peaceful than multipolar systems B) According to Kenneth Waltz, multipolar systems are more peaceful than bipolar systems C) According to Kenneth Waltz, unipolar systems are more peaceful than bipolar systems 1. MCQ correction What would James Rosenau agree with? A) Skillful individuals can only have a positive impact on the international system. B) Skillful individuals can have an impact on the international system. C) Skillful individuals can only have a negative impact on the international system. 1. MCQ correction Which entity is considered common heritage of humankind? A) The Antarctic B) The Arctic C) The United Nations 1. MCQ correction According to Niccolò Machiavelli, the main responsibility of the ruler is to: A) Establish peace B) Pursue militar power C) Seek the advantage and defend the interests of the state 1. MCQ correction The Cobweb model illustrates: A) World Society B) Bipolarity C) Multipolarity 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions Constructivism focuses on the social dimension of IR (human awareness or consciousness and its place in the world affairs) ▪ Social reality is not objective or external to the observer ▪ Ideas and beliefs that inform the actors on the international scene as well as the shared understandings between them 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions What reality is for constructivists? ▪ They do not argue that reality is an “illusion” ▪ It is not the product of purely objective conditions or material forces ▪ Reality is a product of our shared perceptions, values, ideas and understandings ▪ Reality is inter-subjective 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions “500 British nuclear weapons are less threatening to the United States than 5 North Korean nuclear weapons” Alexander Wendt (1995, p. 73) Material conditions are important, but what really matters is how actors think about each other ▪ Material structure < Ideational structure ▪ Structure and agency are mutually constitued 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions The rise of constructivism ▪ Early 1980s: it started to become an increasingly significant approach, especially in North American IR ▪ The end of Cold War set the stage for the rise of a constructivist approach to IR, especially as an alternative to realist approaches 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions The rise of constructivism ▪ After the end of the Cold War, neorealist logic dictated that other states would balance against the US; such balancing would lead to the emergence of new great powers in a multipolar system...but that did not happen. ▪ Constructivists: neorealist uncertainty is closely connected to the fact that the theory is too materialist. ▪ Focus needs to be on thoughts and ideas for a better theory about anarchy and power balancing. 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions The deeper roots of constructivism Origins can be traced back at least to the XVIII century writings of Italian philosopher Giambattista Vico (1668-1744) : ▪ History is not some kind of unfolding or evolving process that is external to human affairs. Men and women make their own history. ▪ They also make states, which are historical constructs. States are artificial creations. 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions The deeper roots of constructivism Inspiration also from Immanuel Kant (1724-1804): ▪ We can obtain knowledge about the world, but it will always be subjective knowledge. ▪ Our experience of reality is filtered through human consciousness. 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions The deeper roots of constructivism The distinction between the social world and the natural world by Max Weber (1861-1920) ▪ To understand human interaction, we cannot merely describe it in the way we describe physical phenomena ▪ Human beings rely on understanding of each other’s actions and on assigning ‘meaning’ to them. ▪ We need a different kind of interpretative understanding (verstehen). 2. Constructivism: basic ideas and assumptions The deeper roots of constructivism The concept of “structuration” of English sociologist Anthony Giddens (1938-) ▪ A way of analyzing the relationships between structures and actors. Structures do not determine what actors do in any mechanical way. ▪ Structures do constrain actors, but actors can also transform structures by thinking about them and acting on them in new ways 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Constructivism as a social theory Social theory is the more general theory about the social world, about social action, and about the relationship between structures and actors. Social theory tells us that the social world is not defined by nature, but by human beings. The social world is not a given, it is created by social actors. Constructivist theory of international relations focuses specifically on how a constructivist framework can be used to better understand or explain the substance of IR. 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Constructivism as a social theory “Today's problem is no longer that of E. H. Carr, one of avoiding the sterility of realism and the naïveté of liberalism. Our choice is more complex. We can remain intellectually riveted on a realist world of states balancing power in a multipolar system. We can focus analytically with liberal institutionalists on the efficiency effects that institutions may have on the prospects for policy coordination between states. Or, acknowledging the partial validity of these views, we can broaden our analytical perspective, as this book suggests, to include as well culture and identity as important causal factors that help define the interests and constitute the actors that shape national security policies and global insecurities.” P. Katzenstein (1996). The Culture of National Security. Norms and Identity in World Politics 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Alexander Wendt’s approach to anarchy Wendt challenges the neorealist position about anarchy: whether anarchy leads to self-help or not, it cannot be decided a priori. Anarchy depends on the interaction between states. It is in these processes of interaction that the identities and interests of states are created It is the very interaction with others that create one specific structure of identities and interests rather than another. 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Alexander Wendt’s approach to anarchy States want to survive and be secure, but what kind of security policy follows from this? A state cannot know what it wants if it cannot know what it is. Ideas shape identities, identities define interest. Identities and interests are shaped in the interaction between states. Actors acquire identities by participating in the construction of collective meanings. ▪ If the US and the Soviet Union decide that they are no longer enemies, “the Cold War is over”. It is collective meanings that constitute the structures which organize our actions. 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Alexander Wendt’s approach to anarchy The practices through which states construct collective meaning happen in specific cultures. Three different cultures of anarchy: ▪ Hobbesian culture or “states as enemies”: ‘war of all against all’ (ancient times up to the middle ages) ▪ Lockean culture or “states as rivals”: states compete but do not seek to eliminate each other (since 1648) ▪ Kantian culture or “states view each other as friends”: they settle disputes peacefully and support each other in the case of threat by a third party (e.g., EU, NATO) 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Alexander Wendt’s approach to anarchy Each culture has its on degree of internationalization: ▪ First degree: in some specific situation, states feel compelled to consider one-another as allies, they are forced to cooperate ▪ Second degree: states cooperate because it is in their interest to do so. ▪ Third degree: states have completely internalized the Kantian culture of anarchy. 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Alexander Wendt’s approach to anarchy In sum, according to Wendt, anarchy is a social construction. It is not inherently dangerous, unstable, or scary; instead, it becomes so only when states interpret it as such. Structure has no existence or causal power apart from process. 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Emanuel Adler and Michael Barnet (1998) Security Communities “Whenever states become integrated to the point they have a sense of community, which, in turn, creates the assurance that they will settle their differences short of war” ▪ Amalgamated → states formally unify ▪ Pluralistic → states maintain their sovereignty 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Emanuel Adler and Michael Barnet (1998) Security Communities Policymakers are pointing to social forces ▪ The development of shared understandings, transnational values and transaction flows encourage community-building. Collective identity = Identification of common values as the sources of close security cooperation. ▪ They want to marry security and community values and ideas. Identity is the key element of a cognitive region 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Emanuel Adler and Michael Barnet (1998) Security Communities In their approach, the issue is not whether there is such a thing as an international community, but rather: when does it matter, where does it matter, and how does it matter? The focus is on pluralistic security communities because it is this form that is theoretically and empirically closes to the developments that are currently unfolding in international politics and international relations theory. 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Martha Finnemore (1996) National interests in international society She focuses on the norms of international society and the way in which they affect state identities and interests. State behavior is defined by identity and interest. And identity and interests are defined by the norms of behavior embedded in international society. The norms of international society are transmitted to states through international organizations (IOs). They shape national policies by ‘teaching’ states what their interests should be. Norms → Interests → Action 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Martha Finnemore (1996) National interests in international society Example: How have states come to accept norms/rules of warfare? The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was instrumental in promoting humanitarian norms in warfare. ▪ In prescribing what was ‘appropriate behavior’ for ‘civilized’ states involved in war. ▪ International norms promoted by IOs can decisively influence national guidelines by pushing states to adopt these norms in their national policies. 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Martha Finnemore (1996) National interests in international society International organizations (IOs) play a crucial role because they “construct the social world in which cooperation and choice take place. They help define the interests that states, and other actors come to hold” (Barnett and Finnemore, 2005: 162). IOs have power to: ▪ Control material resources to influence others ▪ Produce normative resources (e.g., the European Union). ▪ Use ‘productive’ power in relation to their role in constituting the problems that need to be solved. 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink (1998) Activists beyond borders. Advocacy networks in international politics “Anarchy is what non-state actors want states to make of it" Many NGOs often have a unique and more intimate knowledge of an issue and its challenges than law enforcement and government officials would have. NGOs introduce new concepts, pressure government and other actors with legitimate forms of power to implement policy changes 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations Transnational advocacy networks include those actors working internationally on an issue, who are bound together by: ▪ shared values; ▪ a common discourse; ▪ dense exchanges of information and services. 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations The case of Anti-personal landmines Convention (1997) ▪ May 1993: First NGOs conference on the issue held in London ▪ September 1993: Publication of the report on landmines from the US Department of States and agenda-setting activities from UNICEF ▪ December 1993: UN General Assembly voted a resolution ▪ 1994: UN Secretary-General asked for a complete ban of landmines ▪ 1995: Vienna conference on the revision of the Convention on certain conventional arms (1980) ▪ 1996: Mobilizations increased in the US ▪ October 1996: Conference of landmines in Ottawa (75 states attended it) 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations The case of Anti-personal landmines Convention (1997) ▪ September 1997: Oslo conference where the content of the convention was negotiated ▪ October 1997: Jody Williams and International Campaign to Ban Landmines won the Peace Nobel Prize ▪ December 1997: Official signature of the Ottowa Convention ▪ March 1999: Convention entered into force 3. Constructivist theories of International Relations The case of Anti-personal landmines Convention (1997) ▪ September 1997: Oslo conference where the content of the convention was negotiated ▪ October 1997: Jody Williams and International Campaign to Ban Landmines won the Peace Nobel Prize ▪ December 1997: Official signature of the Ottowa Convention ▪ March 1999: Convention entered into force 4. An illustration: the case of Bhutan Buddhist kingdom located in the Himalayas ▪ Type of regime: Constitutional monarchy ▪ Population: 727 147 (2022 census) ▪ Area: 38,394 km2 ▪ GDP: 10 969 billions (166th) and 14 296 GDP per capita (95th) ▪ Very small military ▪ Border with China in the north and India in the south  4. An illustration: the case of Bhutan Bhutan’s location is geographically sensitive: ▪ It serves as a buffer state between the big powers India and China, which perceive each other as rivals rather than friends. ▪ There remains an ongoing border dispute between Bhutan and China and there have been reports that the Chinese army has made several incursions into Bhutan. ▪ India has also advanced claims over Bhutan. Article 2 of the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty (1949): ‘Bhutan agrees to be guided by the advice of India in regard to its external relations.’  4. An illustration: the case of Bhutan Bhutan’s situation according to: Realist theory: Bhutan is in an unfavorable position as it is hindered by its geographical location and cannot compete for power with its neighbors. Constructivist theory: these structural conditions do not necessarily constrain Bhutan’s ability to pursue its national interests since they are not the only conditions that influence state behavior.  4. An illustration: the case of Bhutan The meaning given to these structural conditions also matters: ▪ When Tibet was annexed by China, Bhutan felt threatened. As a result, it closed its border in the north and turned to India, its neighbour in the south. ▪ From that moment onward, Bhutan perceived China as a potential threat and India as a friend. To date, Bhutan has no official relations with China. ▪ These social relationships represent the ideational structure that originated from the meaning given to the material structure.  4. An illustration: the case of Bhutan The added value of constructivist approach to Bhutan’s situation? ▪ The social relationships are subject to change depending on the ideas, beliefs and actions of Bhutan, India and China. ▪ An agreement on the border dispute between China and Bhutan could change how both countries perceive each other. ▪ This change might lead to the establishment of an official relationship, the nature of which is friendship rather than enmity. ▪ A constructivist approach is well placed to detect and understand these changes since its object of enquiry focuses on the social relationships between states. WHO? All international actors, guided by their identities, ideas, values. WHAT? Social aspects of reality, relations between structures/states. HOW/WHY? International actors behave according to their identity, shaped by their values. SO WHAT? To interpret/construct. Not to predict.